Shloka 12

Mahāyoga: Detachment from ‘I/Mine’, Aṣṭāṅga Practice, Oṁkāra and Aham-Brahmāsmi Contemplation

Devanagari script

अहिंसा सत्यमस्तेयं ब्रह्मचर्यापरिग्रहौ / यमाः पञ्चाथ नियमाः शौचं द्विविधमीरितम्

Transliteration

ahiṃsā satyamasteyaṃ brahmacaryāparigrahau / yamāḥ pañcātha niyamāḥ śaucaṃ dvividhamīritam

Translation

不害（ahiṃsā）、真实（satya）、不盗（asteya）、梵行（brahmacarya）与不贪取不执著（aparigraha）——此为五种“制戒”(yama)。随后宣说“持戒”(niyama)，并指出清净（śauca）有两类。

Word by Word

• अहिंसा: non-violence
• अहिंसा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहिंसा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• सत्यम्: truthfulness
• सत्यम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• अस्तेयम्: non-stealing
• अस्तेयम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्तेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• ब्रह्मचर्य: celibacy/chastity
• ब्रह्मचर्य: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मचर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• अपरिग्रहौ: non-possessiveness (and)
• अपरिग्रहौ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपरिग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), द्विवचन; (यमयोः द्वय-समुच्चयः)

• यमाः: restraints (yamas)
• यमाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• पञ्च: five
• पञ्च: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पञ्च (अव्यय/संख्याशब्द)
• Form: संख्या-अव्यय (numeral, indeclinable)

• अथ: then/and now
• अथ: Sambandha (Discourse connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनन्तरार्थ/प्रस्तावार्थ (then/now)

• नियमाः: observances (niyamas)
• नियमाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नियम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• शौचम्: purity/cleanliness
• शौचम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• द्विविधम्: twofold
• द्विविधम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्विविध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; द्वि + विध (twofold)

• ईरितम्: is declared/said
• ईरितम्: Kriya (Predicative/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ईरित (कृदन्त; √ईर्/√इर् (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे विधेय (is said)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The five yamas (ahiṃsā, satya, asteya, brahmacarya, aparigraha) are foundational restraints; śauca (purity) is twofold (external and internal) within niyamas.

Vedantic Theme: Ethical purification (citta-śuddhi) as a prerequisite for steady meditation and realization of the Self/Brahman; sattva cultivation.

Application: Adopt the five restraints as daily vows; practice external cleanliness and internal purity (thought, intention, diet, speech).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: yoga/dharma instruction cluster in 1.226 (yama-niyama, āsana, prāṇāyāma).

Characters & Entities

• Yamas
• Niyamas
• Śauca

FAQs

What is the importance of yamas and niyamas in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames ethical restraints (yamas) and disciplined observances (niyamas) as foundational dharma, with purity (śauca) highlighted as a key practice for inner and outer refinement.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in Garuda Purana?

By emphasizing moral restraint and purity, the verse points to conduct that supports spiritual clarity and favorable karmic outcomes—principles repeatedly linked in the Garuda Purana to one’s post-death condition and journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice non-harming, honesty, integrity, self-discipline, and simplicity; add daily cleanliness and inner purification (through right intention and mindful habits) as steady supports for dharmic living.